Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or Ponyboy Curtis. Sigh. The true owner of "The Outsiders" is the best author ever, Miss S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories I write on this site.

A/M: Reviews are appreciated. There are only going to be about 18 or so total chapters in this story. I'm excited for the ending I have planned.

Ponyboy's POV

The next morning Darry told me he was going to go to work. I felt my palms start to sweat and my heart skipped a beat.

"Please stay," I whimpered, sounding like a child. Darry seemed to notice how worried I was because he surprisingly gave me a hug.

"I will be okay, Ponyboy, and your safe here with Soda. I need to work, but will never let anything happen to you, lil' colt," Darry assured me. I barely nodded, my appetite gone and my stomach twisting.

Soda told me that Two-Bit was coming today. I was glad for the distraction and with him here I could watch over him and know where he was for a whole. I wondered about Steve. Was he safe?

"Is Steve coming?" I asked softly and questioningly. He nodded, smiling that I wanted seemed to want Steve to be here.

"I'm sure he could come. Maybe we can do something fun today. What do you want to do?" He asked. I felt bad, but I didn't want to leave the house. Randy was still free and capable of hurting me.

"Umm… Ponyboy," Sodapop started uncertainly, "I'm taking you to some therapy in an hour. Social Worker demanded that we do it or we'll get taken away to a Boys home."

"What? I'm fine, I don't need therapy, I'm not insane," I lied. Soda shook his head and told me again that the Social Worker is making us do it. I finally gave in begrudgingly.

X

The therapist was a Soc 100%. Her bright lipstick was ugly and even though she was in her 40's her skirt was way too short. I wanted to barf when I caught sight of her.

I resisted the urge to run as I sat down in the fancy and comfortable seats.

Surprisingly, she didn't ask about Randy. Her name was Barbra James. She asked me about my grades, what I liked to do, and when I responded with "books" she asked which was my favorite.

"Gone With The Wind," I blurted out quickly. She smiled.

"Why?" She asked curiously,

"I think because we can learn a lot from the characters. They are so gallant," I told her honestly. She smiled.

"Did it ever dawn on you that your gallant?" She asked. Boy, that sure stumped me. I though about it for a few minutes before shaking my head no.

"Not many people could go through all you went through and live. I'm not talking about the recent events, I'm talking about it all. You are gold, Ponyboy. Strong," She told me, stumping me more. I answered a few more basic questions before staring to get uncomfortable.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing," I said, clamming up again. Negative thoughts swirled in my head.

Was Randy here? Could he get to Soda? What about the rest of the Gang? Darry?

"Well, your time is up, Ponyboy. I won't make you answer right away today, but soon we need to talk about the kidnapping." She told me. I wasn't sure if I could do that.

When I walked out of the room I saw Soda and Two-Bit. I smiled at him being here and supporting me. How I loved the Gang.

We were able to go home and most of the time my thoughts were focused on the card game, but I knew it would t last. This, today, was just a temporary distraction.

X

Darry came in later than normal just as the phone rang. As I listened to the conversation I realized that he was talking to the cops about Randy.

How did they know it was Randy? What about Cherry? What does she have to do with Randy. I caught the word "murder" as Darry hung up.

"What about Randy, Cherry, and murder?" I squeaked worriedly.

"Ponyboy, I hate to say this, but Cherry is dead. I'm so sorry. She knew that he kidnapped you and he killed her." Darry told me. I wrapped my arms around him, sobbing. It was all too much. The smallest sliver of light i accomplished today was ripped away